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Thursday, October 31, 2019
Our favorite
nature path. Today's message is about our favorite
spiritual path!
"The
Path Of Life Leads Upward"
Message summary: What a great joy and blessing to follow Christ and walk on the path that leads upward.
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
Message summary: What a great joy and blessing to follow Christ and walk on the path that leads upward.
"You
will make known to me the path of life; in
Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your
right hand there are pleasures forever" (Psalm
16:11). "The path of life leads upward for the
wise" (Proverbs 15:24).
We often walk on a path that begins across from our house. It starts as a tractor trail then turns into a long portion between tree lines separating farm fields on each side, later it runs along Donegal Creek. It's actually a long abandoned public road that ended right across from our house to a church meeting house and can still seen on maps as "Meeting House Run Road".
We often walk on a path that begins across from our house. It starts as a tractor trail then turns into a long portion between tree lines separating farm fields on each side, later it runs along Donegal Creek. It's actually a long abandoned public road that ended right across from our house to a church meeting house and can still seen on maps as "Meeting House Run Road".
Presently
it's accessible only with a tractor, four-wheel
drive vehicle, or for several of our neighbors a
golf cart. That's just fine with us since we
enjoy the solitude of the quiet country setting,
though we enjoy the distinct sound of fall as in
crisp, dry leaves underfoot as we walk or the
sounds of walnuts plopping down from the trees.
Our dogs really love this part of the walk and often get very distracted with all the sights and smells of critters, beavers swimming, squirrels springing up the trees. Yesterday afternoon Brooksyne walked all three dogs and was trying to take photos but finally stopped after they were pulling so hard on their leashes. It's a good thing she looked away from the camera and onto the spot they were wanting to explore. A huge dead rat was the exciting attraction. She sent me a text photo, but I'll spare the women readers the gruesome sight.
Scripture in numerous places speaks of the "path of life" including today's first passage. It's from a Psalm of David, written some 3,000 years ago. In addressing God David joyfully proclaims, "You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever."
God continues to make known the path of life to those who earnestly seek Him. Today, as in the past, it is the road less traveled since many by default follow the broad road.
The final Old Testament Biblical reference to "the path of life" is our second passage, "The path of life leads upward for the wise". Proverbs 9:12 states, "If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you". Jesus taught, "everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock" (Matthew 7:24). Godly wisdom is different than worldly wisdom. "Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become 'fools' so that you may become wise" (1 Corinthians 3:18). Paul wrote concerning, "the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:15).
But the final reference to the "path of life" in Scripture may surprise you. Peter quotes several verses from Psalm 16 in his sermon on the day of Pentecost concluding with the daily verse, "You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence" (Acts 2:28). He makes it clear that ultimately in this Psalm that David was referring to Jesus Christ as the path of life! Of course He Himself tells us, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).
I thank God for making known to us the path of life through the person of Jesus Christ, His Son! What a great joy and blessing to follow Him and walk on the path that leads upward.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, what a tremendous
blessing that the path of life leads
upward for the wise. This path is
certainly not the shortest, most traveled,
or least difficult trail. There are times
when the incline may be so steep it forces
me to humbly kneel down before You, the
Lord my Maker. Your strength is perfect
when my strength is weak. It is a place
where I realize it is no longer my
strength but it is in Your perfect
strength that I walk. It is no longer my
plan but Your perfect plan that I follow.
It is no longer my wisdom but Your perfect
wisdom that instructs me. You give perfect
direction and adequate strength to walk
the upward path that leads to life
everlasting. Thank You that I will never
walk the path of life alone, for You lead
the way as You make my feet like hind's
feet on high places. Amen.
Our dogs really love this part of the walk and often get very distracted with all the sights and smells of critters, beavers swimming, squirrels springing up the trees. Yesterday afternoon Brooksyne walked all three dogs and was trying to take photos but finally stopped after they were pulling so hard on their leashes. It's a good thing she looked away from the camera and onto the spot they were wanting to explore. A huge dead rat was the exciting attraction. She sent me a text photo, but I'll spare the women readers the gruesome sight.
Scripture in numerous places speaks of the "path of life" including today's first passage. It's from a Psalm of David, written some 3,000 years ago. In addressing God David joyfully proclaims, "You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever."
God continues to make known the path of life to those who earnestly seek Him. Today, as in the past, it is the road less traveled since many by default follow the broad road.
The final Old Testament Biblical reference to "the path of life" is our second passage, "The path of life leads upward for the wise". Proverbs 9:12 states, "If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you". Jesus taught, "everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock" (Matthew 7:24). Godly wisdom is different than worldly wisdom. "Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become 'fools' so that you may become wise" (1 Corinthians 3:18). Paul wrote concerning, "the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:15).
But the final reference to the "path of life" in Scripture may surprise you. Peter quotes several verses from Psalm 16 in his sermon on the day of Pentecost concluding with the daily verse, "You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence" (Acts 2:28). He makes it clear that ultimately in this Psalm that David was referring to Jesus Christ as the path of life! Of course He Himself tells us, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).
I thank God for making known to us the path of life through the person of Jesus Christ, His Son! What a great joy and blessing to follow Him and walk on the path that leads upward.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, what a tremendous
blessing that the path of life leads
upward for the wise. This path is
certainly not the shortest, most traveled,
or least difficult trail. There are times
when the incline may be so steep it forces
me to humbly kneel down before You, the
Lord my Maker. Your strength is perfect
when my strength is weak. It is a place
where I realize it is no longer my
strength but it is in Your perfect
strength that I walk. It is no longer my
plan but Your perfect plan that I follow.
It is no longer my wisdom but Your perfect
wisdom that instructs me. You give perfect
direction and adequate strength to walk
the upward path that leads to life
everlasting. Thank You that I will never
walk the path of life alone, for You lead
the way as You make my feet like hind's
feet on high places. Amen. Donegal
Creek
Combine
harvesting the soybeans.
I
had all three dogs on leashes, but the pace was
just too fast for Roxie. I usually take her on
shorter walks these days now that she's hit 15.
We were almost back home when I took her off her
leash and here she is trailing way behind me and
the other two. She really can't keep up but
insists on going when I take the dogs for a
walk. If I try to sneak away without her she
cries in a pathetic way the entire time we're
gone which is miserable for those who have to
hear it, namely Stephen and Ester. It sure is
hard to see your puppy turn into an elderly dog.
(She was about six months when we got her in
early 2005.)
Today's
Suggested Music and
Supplemental Resources
"Deeper, Deeper"
Video
"Higher Ground"
Video
Smucker family
"As
for Me and My House"
Video
Collingsworth
Family We used this song
yesterday by a different artist.
Robert wrote, "My wife and I
used the song 'As for Me and My
House' 35 years ago in our
wedding and have remained
committed to it continually."
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
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